1. SBIR and STTR 101: Getting the Most From This Conference
The National SBIR Conference
May 14-16, 2013
Washington, DC
John Williams
Director Dept. of the Navy
SBIR/STTR Program
Matthew Portnoy, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator National Institutes of Health
SBIR/STTR Program

2. SBIR and STTR were reauthorized by Congress in P.L. 112-81 for
Program Overview
2.7%
FY2013
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): a set-aside program created by Congress in 1982 for small business concerns to engage in Federal R&D -- with potential for commercialization. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): a set-aside program created by Congress in 1992 to facilitate cooperative R&D between small business concerns and U.S. research institutions -- with potential for commercialization.
0.35%
FY2013
SBIR and STTR were reauthorized by Congress in P.L for
2011 – 2017, with annual increases in the assessment of Federal extramural RDT&E funds.

3. Program Goals SBIR est. 1982 Stimulate technological innovation
Use small business to meet Federal R&D needs
Foster and encourage participation by minorities and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation
Increase private-sector commercialization innovations derived from Federal R&D
STTR est. 1992
Stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions
Foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions

4. SBIR Program Eligibility
Organized for- profit U.S. business
500 employees or fewer, including affiliates
More than 50% directly owned and controlled by one or more individuals (who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States
PI’s primary employment must be with the small business concern
New eligibility authority available to Agencies from reauthorization:
More than 50% directly owned and controlled by one or more for-profit businesses, each being more than 50% owned and controlled by one or more individuals
NIH initiative: Be a concern which is more than 50% owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, private equity firms, or any combination of these. No single venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private equity firm may own more than 50% of the concern.

5. STTR Program Eligibility
Applicant is a small business concern
Formal cooperative R&D effort
Minimum 40% by small business
Minimum 30% by U.S. research institution
U.S. Research Institution
College or University; other non-profit research organization
Federal R&D center (added by reauthorization statute)
Intellectual property agreement
Allocation of data rights for four years
Right to carry out follow-on R&D and commercialization via Phase III contracts and investment

6. SBIR/STTR: 3-Phase Competitive Program
PHASE I Feasibility Study
Award Guideline: $150K … varies by Agency … can rise to $225K
Duration: 6 months (SBIR)/12 months (STTR)
PHASE II Full Research, R&D to Prototype
Award Guideline: $1M (SBIR)/$1M (STTR) … varies by Agency … can rise to $1.5M, or more with waiver
Duration: 2 years
PHASE III Commercialization
Subsequent investment to achieve commercialization, or sale
Use of non-SBIR/STTR Funds

7. SBIR/STTR Budgets by Agency, FY2012
Agencies with SBIR and STTR Programs
Department of Defense (DOD)
$ 1.3 B
Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
$717.0 M
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
$161.8 M
Department of Energy (DOE)
$188.3 M
National Science Foundation (NSF)
$ M
Agencies with SBIR Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
$19.3 M
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
$12.6 M
Department of Education (ED)
$13.4 M
Department of Transportation (DOT)
$8.6 M
Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
$4.7 M
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
$4.8 M
Need to update. Lisa Sobelski DHS has FY12 chart.
~ $2.4B in FY12
across all agencies

8. NIH SBIR/STTR Budget by Institutes, FY2012
Need to update. Lisa Sobelski DHS has FY12 chart.

9. DoD Budgets by Services/Components, FY2012
Need to update. Lisa Sobelski DHS has FY12 chart.
2.6% SBIR = $1,034,164,000
0.35% STTR = $127,541,000
Total FY12 = $1,289,246,000

10. Agency SBIR/STTR Differences and Conference Alignment
Agency mission and success metrics
Conference sessions #3, 4, 5 and 6 – Wednesday morning
Number and timing of Solicitations over FY
Sessions #3, 4, 5 and 6
R&D Topic areas -- broad vs. specific, commercial market vs. acquisition focus
Award type, size and structure – contract vs. grant; base-and-options, etc.
Assistance available to awardees for commercialization
Sessions #7, 8 and 12 – Wednesday afternoon
Government technical monitor (TPOC) role
Financial details (e.g., Indirect Cost Rates, Gap Funding)
Sessions #18 and 24 – Thursday morning
Proposal preparation instructions, receipt dates and review process
Sessions #11, 15, 16 – Wednesday afternoon -- and 25, Thursday morning
Agency booths at the Conference are another source of information

11. Agency SBIR Differences
Contracting Agencies
Agency establishes plans, protocols, requirements
Highly focused topics
Procurement capability
More fiscal requirements
Granting Agencies
Investigator initiates
approach
Less-specified topics
Assistance mechanism
More flexibility
NIH offers both grants and contracts
DOD DHS
HHS/NIH NASA
EPA
DOT DOC
HHS/NIH NSF
ED USDA
DOE

12. Some Frequently Asked Questions
As an SBIR/STTR newcomer, what are my chances of winning a Phase I award? How do I optimize my chances?
As a new SBIR/STTR Phase II winner, how should I approach commercializing my technology?
Do I need a partner to be successful through SBIR/STTR?
How is a successful small technology firm structured? Do I need a manufacturing capability?
As a SBIR/STTR awardee, how strong are my Intellectual Property protections?
How long does the technology development and sales cycle typically take for SBIR/STTR awardees?

13. Conference Attendance Tips
In the Conference sessions, 1-on-1 meetings, and at the Agency booths, listen for and ask about these differences: they’ll impact your choices.
Look for potentially close matches between your technological focus and the desired technologies and applications an Agency depicts in its solicitations.
If you’re new to entrepreneurship, ask Agency reps about what level of business functionality they typically see in successful small businesses.
Forge ties and linkages: this is a rare opportunity to work directly with senior Agency staff who manage SBIR/STTR.

14. Mining Conference Resources
Aligning your technology with the right Agency
Finding SBIR/STTR Topics
Winning SBIR/STTR awards
Commercializing technology
Understanding the value of partnerships
Business functions, business structure
Pitfalls, obstacles and help sources
Intellectual property and data rights

15. Aligning Technologies and Agencies
Follow the Agenda Tracks:
Track 1 – Large non-DoD Agencies: NIH, DOE, NASA, NSF
Track 2 – DoD Services and smaller Components
Track 3 – Smaller non-DoD Agencies
All Agency summaries are offered this morning, concurrently.
To parse the Agencies, review the Agency-At-A-Glance one-pagers posted at
At the Agency booths, ask SBIR/STTR staff to help you identify matches in current or future Solicitations between your technology and that Agency’s Topics.
Be proactive: have a quad chart ready that describes your technology …… What’s a quad chart, you ask?

16. Defense Technology Quad Chart

17. Medical Technology Quad Chart

18. Finding SBIR/STTR Topics
TIP: search as close to Topic sources as possible, by Agency
Government-wide:
Note: this website does not allow searching of DoD and other Agency Topics
Mega Agencies: and
Individual Agency websites: go to for a comprehensive list
Comprehensive Agencies search site:

19. What Does A Defense Topic Look Like?

20. What Do Health/Medical Topics Look Like?

21. Proposals that Win SBIR/STTR Awards
Results differ by Agency, but government-wide about one-third of FY awardees are newcomers each year. You can do this!
Session # – What Are the Elements of Winning DOD Phase I and II Proposals? Annapolis 3-4
Session # – How Do I Apply For a Grant Using “Grants.gov”? Baltimore 1-2
Session # – 1455 What Constitutes a Winning Proposal for Granting Agencies? Baltimore 1-2
Session # – 1155 What SBIR/STTR Support is Available at State, Regional or Local Levels? Annapolis 3-4

22. Technology Commercialization
“Commercialization” of a technology entails its maturation and related customer capture steps, including direct sale or license of a technology product, or its integration as a component into a larger product.
Session # Non-DOD Agency Commercialization Programs and Expectations Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 1455 Developing Strong Commercialization (Transition) Plans Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 1455 DOD Commercialization Readiness Program Annapolis 3-4
Session # – 1605 Does My Technology Have Varied Agency Applications? Baltimore 1-2
Session # – 1155 What Are My Options in Developing a Manufacturing Competency? Annapolis 1-2

23. Who Needs a Partner?
As successful small firms will tell you in Sessions #22-23, understanding the strategic value of partnerships, types of partnerships and partnering resources can make a vital difference in a firm’s R&D and commercialization success.
Session # – 1605 Forming Partnerships with Large Firms (Non-DOD firms) Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 1655 Forming Partnerships: Universities, Federal Labs, FFRDCs Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 1605 Partnering With DOD Prime Contractors Annapolis 3-4
Session # – 1700 What Should I Know About the DOD Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF)? Annapolis 3-4

24. Business Architecture Basics
Winning commercialization strategies for SBCs in the defense, energy, health/medical and other markets identify and incorporate those business functions which are essential to company growth in those markets.
Session # – 1155 What Are My Options in Developing a Manufacturing Competency? Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 1105 Pre-Award Accounting Systems Annapolis 3-4
Session# – 1155 What SBIR/STTR Support is Available at State, Regional or Local Levels? Annapolis 3-4
Session# – 0955 How Do I Approach Potential Investors? Baltimore 1-2

25. What Could Go Wrong? Avoiding Pitfalls, Getting Help
Consultants aside, some of the help available to you comes from SBA and federal/state programs such as SCORE (retired executives counsel to SBCs)
Session # – 1455 Developing Strong Commercialization (Transition) Plans Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 0905 What Should I Know About Fraud, Waste and Abuse? Annapolis 1-2
Session # – What Should I Know About ITAR? Annapolis 1-2
Session# – 1105 Pre-Award Accounting Systems Annapolis 3-4
Session # – Changes to Size Standard and Certification Process Based on SBIR Reauthorization Baltimore 1-2

26. Intellectual Property, Data Rights Issues
While Federal guidance is available from the U.S. Patent & Trade Office (USPTO), most states provide assistance if you search for it: a good example is Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology.
Session # – 0955 Data Rights – How Does SBIR/STTR Differ From Other Programs? Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 1105 What Should I Know About ITAR? Annapolis 1-2
Session # – 1155 What SBIR/STTR Support is Available at State, Regional or Local Levels? Annapolis 3-4

27. National SBIR Conference
SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Update P.L , signed into law 12/31/2011, contains 41 new provisions that transform SBIR and STTR
National SBIR Conference
May 14-16, 2013
Washington, DC

28. Funding Related Provisions
Section 5102 – SBIR and STTR Allocation Increase FY
Set-aside SBIR
Set-aside STTR
2011 (current)
2.5%
0.30%
2012
2.6%
0.35%
2013
2.7%
2014
2.8%
0.40%
2015
2.9%
2016
3.0%
0.45%
2017
3.2%

29. Funding Related Provisions
Section 5103 – SBIR and STTR Award Levels
Hard Limits* on award size to 50% over guidelines
* Agency waiver from SBA required to exceed award + 50%
Program
Phase I
Phase II
Previous
SBIR
$150,000
$1,000,000
150K/1M
STTR
100K/750K
Program
Phase I
Phase II
Previous
SBIR
$225,000
$1,500,000
Flexible
STTR

30. Provisions Impacting SBCs
Section 5108 –Special Acquisition Preference Agencies, prime contractors shall issue Phase III awards to the greatest extent practicable. Section 5125 – Definition of Phase III “Phase III is work that derives from, extends or completes efforts made under prior SBIR/STTR funding agreements.” Section 5138 – Technology Insertion Reporting Phase III award data must be included in SBA’s annual report to Congress. Section 5144 – Simplified Paperwork Requirements SBA shall issue guidelines to ensure that each Federal agency simplifies and standardizes the paperwork requirements of small businesses. Section 5162 – Competitive Selection Procedures All awards must be made pursuant to competitive and merit-based selection procedures.

31. Provisions Impacting SBCs
Section 5104 – Agency and Program Flexibility
A firm may receive a Phase II award from an agency that is not the one that awarded their Phase I award.
A firm may receive a Phase II award under a program that is not the one that they received their Phase I award under.
Section 5105 – Elimination of Phase II Invitations
Invitation, pre-screening and pre-selection processes are no longer permitted for Phase II proposal submission.
Section 5106 – Pilot to Allow Phase Flexibility
Authorized to establish a Pilot Program that will allow for a Phase II award to be made without regard to whether or not the firm received a Phase I award.

32. Provisions Impacting SBCs
Section 5107 – Participation by VC Firms
Firms majority-owned by venture capital operating companies, hedge funds and private equity are now included in the SBIR program.
NIH, DOE, NSF up to 25% NIH has implemented
DoD and other agencies 15%
Section 5109 – Collaborating with Federal Labs
No waiver is required for partnership with Federal Labs and Centers.
Section 5111 – Additional SBIR/STTR Awards
Firms are eligible to receive one additional Phase II award for continued work.
Section 5121 – Technical Assistance for Awardees
The amount allocated for Technical Assistance for awardees is increased to $5,000 per award per year. Phase II and STTR awards now included.

33. Provisions Impacting SBCs
Section 5122 – Commercialization Readiness Program at DoD
The Commercialization Pilot Program is no longer a pilot, and is called the Commercialization Readiness Program.
Program is extended to STTR.
Section 5123 – Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program for Civilian Agencies
Allows Civilian agencies to allocate not more than 10% of SBIR funds to establish commercialization readiness pilot programs.
Section 5126 – Shortened Award Decision Period
Selections must be made within 90 days of the solicitation close.
NIH & NSF one year from solicitation close.

34. Provisions Impacting SBCs
Section 5140 – Consent to Release Information
Firms must give consent before their information is released to Economic Development Organizations.
Section 5143 – Reducing Fraud, Waste and Abuse
SBA must include measures in the SBIR Policy Directive to prevent fraud, waste and abuse in the SBIR/STTR programs.
Section 5165 – Commercialization Success
Federal agencies must establish a system to measure a firm’s success rate of moving from Phase I to Phase II and from Phase II to Phase III.
Agencies must establish a minimum threshold for these rates.
If a firm does not meet these minimum thresholds, they will be suspended from the program for one year.

35. Reporting Related Provisions
Section 5138 – Technology Insertion Reporting Phase III award data must be included in the annual report to Congress. Section 5161 – Report on SBIR/STTR Program Goals Federal agencies will develop and report metrics that evaluate the effectiveness and benefit of the SBIR/STTR programs to the people of the United States. Section 5167 – Report on Manufacturing Activities The Manufacturing report is now included in the Annual Report to Congress.

36. Audit/Study Related Provisions
Section 5136 – Accuracy in Funding Base Calculations
GAO will complete an annual fiscal and management audit.
Section 5137 – Evaluation by National Academy
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will evaluate the SBIR/STTR Programs.
The NAS will evaluate the number of positions created by each SBIR award.
Section 5139 – Intellectual Property Protections
The Comptroller General must conduct a study of Intellectual Property Protections in the SBIR program.
Section 5142 – GAO Study of VC
Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the impact of requirements relating to VC operating company, hedge fund, and private equity firm involvement in the SBIR/STTR programs.

37. Status of SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Provisions
Phased implementation of reauthorization provisions commenced 28 January is well underway
Policy Directives are issued and available at
Eligibility and other rules are described in detail in individual Solicitations: read the Solicitations carefully!
Coordinate with SBA and other agencies
See Agency-specific talks later today for details!

38. Questions?